[ Reviewed by: Calyst ] - [ Date: Sunday,
9th December, 2001 ]
Brumal Quest marks Kona's 15th in his long
line-up of SP maps for Quake 1 and 2, but
this one separates itself from the rest
of the pack with its theme - snowy medieval.
An intriguing style indeed, and it works
great, but it would've gone better with
darker ambient lighting.
Layout is reminiscent of Satyr - routing
begins at the outermost rim, flowing inwards,
crisscrossing at points, but generally upwards
to teleport to the second map. The second
map is a one-two punch - enter a fortress,
then exit and leave (entry and exit both
meet with opposition as expected). Architecture
is excellent, and complex at that - lots
of attention to detail. The proof is in
the wall and floor-ceiling designs sprinkled
around, as well as in the varied textures.
Surprisingly consistent with each other
considering how many there are, so layers
don't appear odd as they might in other
styles. Mostly wood and stone variants that
at first seem to provide a completely new
style, but on closer examination is somewhat
medieval.
Variation continues in the gameplay, which
likes to have the upper edge - many enemies
spawn in after a button push or after key
targets are eliminated. And the enemies
themselves are a varied lot with their new
snowy skins (one exception: shambler), plus
a breed of modified "fiends" (gremlins?)
without the normal rapaciousness. Unfortunately
this breed doesn't seem to have any combat
strengths - or if it does, it's not appropriately
used. There's a bit more faulty enemy placement
with a few shamblers and certain ogres,
but overall combat strives for fairness.
Health is quite competitive compared to
the amount of fighting, but ammo tends to
be more generous. Combat is definitely challenging
but not quite intriguing - there's lack
of progression, and no one particular fight
stands out. No set-pieces except in the
second map. And a rather rude closing battle
- it opens you up to attack from multiple
angles way too abruptly without a good aversion
method.
The combat isn't all that compelling and
the ambient lighting a bit bright for Quakey
purposes (at least on idgamma/GLQuake),
but Brumal Quest packs good, tough action
into some highly impressive, snowy architecture.
Very nice overall.
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